Month: February 2025

Pobal call 3 project selection announcement image

€6 million of Community Support Funding announced for projects in the Midlands

Funding will go community-led projects in the Midlands – under the EU Just Transition Fund Programme

Minister Darragh O’Brien has announced the award of almost €6 million of Community Support Funding to 10 community-led projects in the Midlands under the EU Just Transition Fund Programme.

The projects were awarded through a third competitive call for proposals in the Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme (LRESSS). LRESSS is co-funded by the government and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund programme.

This call was aimed at funding Local Economic and Community Plans to provide new employment opportunities, for workers and communities that were heavily dependent on peat extraction. It provides targeted support to projects that will boost resilience of communities and the economic fabric of the wider Midlands.

The projects approved for funding will deliver significant benefits to the region, including:

investments in enhancing the circular economy, such as through waste prevention, reduction, resource efficiency, reuse, repair and recycling
the preservation, repurposing and refurbishment of local infrastructure and heritage assets – for use as enterprise spaces
support to green technologies, including renewable energy and sustainable energy practices

This notice comes just a few days after the announcement of another group of 17 projects that have successfully received funding from the EU Just Transition Fund programme, within Fáilte Ireland’s Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs. Today’s announcement means that there are now over 80 projects that have received funding from the various schemes under the EU Just Transition programme.

The Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme (LRESSS) was developed through close collaboration between the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) as the Managing Authority for the EU Just Transition Fund. It is administered through Pobal. It seeks to support the implementation of bottom-up local and regional strategies.

Commenting on the projects approved for funding, Minister O’Brien said:

“This call has been targeted at the people and communities most effected by the cessation of peat extraction in the Midlands. The selected projects represent an important part of the journey to a lower carbon-future which is fair for all. I look forward to witnessing the benefits to the social fabric, economy and environment that these initiatives will provide.”

Clare Bannon, Acting Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), said:

“EMRA is delighted to see the fund supporting these projects under the Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme. These projects, in conjunction with others supported by the EU Just Transition Fund programme, play a crucial role in driving locally-led regional development and building a stronger, more sustainable future for the communities in the Midlands. We are proud to be able to support these unique project ideas that demonstrate the ingenuity that exists in the communities in the Midlands.”

This is a new opportunity for project funding using resources under the Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme. The call was aimed at a subset of counties from within the EU Just Transition Territory, following an evidence-based analysis of impacts and funding distribution. Successful projects were required to demonstrate close alignment with locally-defined Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs) and Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs).

Projects operating in the following areas were eligible to apply under this call: Laois, Offaly, Longford and the Municipal Districts of Ballinasloe (Co Galway), Athy and Clane-Maynooth, (Co Kildare).

Selected Projects

Project	Lead Organisation	Project Description	County	Approved Funding Amount *
Longford Enterprise and Energy Centre	Longford County Council	Under this project, the historical former post office building in Longford town will be refurbished to serve several uses, including setting up co-working spaces, the county tourism office and public event spaces.	Longford	€793,822
The Dalton Centre – Enabling the Transition to Net Zero	Offaly County Council	Under this project, the vacant industrial building of Dalton Centre in Shannonbridge will be upgraded through the provision of basic services so that it can be used for training or job creation in construction and renewable energy sectors.	Offaly	€1,000,000
Kildare’s Green Upskilling Programme	County Kildare Leader Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee	Under this project, a bespoke training programme focused on low-carbon, circular economy practices are being delivered to marginalised individuals in Athy and Clane-Maynooth with low education and limited employment opportunities.	Kildare	€709,314
GreenSkills Reboot: Empowering the transition to a sustainable future through skills bootcamps	Generation: You Employed, Ireland Company Limited By Guarantee	Under this project, four green skills bootcamps are being delivered in the Midlands that focus on Solar PV Panel Installation and Retrofit Advisory.	Meath**	€235,448
RegenTEC – Regeneration Training and Education Centre	Kildare County Council	Under this project, a vacant former secondary school in Athy is being developed into a hub for Regenerative Economic Development. The hub will be used for training and educational activities on sustainable and a low carbon economy.	Kildare	€998,802
Development of Canal Road Business Park, Portarlington	Laois County Council	Under this project, capital works will be undertaken on the former Avon site at Canal Road, Portarlington to upgrade it to a business park and to attract enterprises.	Laois	€999,963
Wetlands Wastewater treatment plant	Allenwood Community Development Association Company Limited by Guarantee	Under the project, a new wastewater treatment plant will be constructed to ensure operational continuity and sustainability of the Allenwood Community Development Association. The overall wetlands treatment system will also create green spaces and wildlife habitats	Kildare	€287,653
Glas don Saol	The County Kildare Local Employment Service Network Company Limited by Guarantee	Under this project, 300 people in Athy and Clane-Maynooth will be assisted to identify their skills and interests and develop a career path within the green economy through the provision of a high-quality Career Guidance service.	Kildare	€299,491
Kilcormac Sustainable Development Project	Kilcormac Development Association	Under this project, a new tourist office will be developed in Offaly to serve as an ecotourism hub with EV charging points and bicycle repair services.	Offaly	€231,787.68
Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub: Empowering Local Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Employment	Ballinasloe Area Community Development	Under this project, the recently renovated office space of the Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub will be operationalised by resourcing it with staff and equipment. The Hub will focus on the development of business in key sectors such as digital services, healthcare, MedTech and climate change by highlighting its offerings and providing high quality networking events and training sessions	Galway	€263,479

*subject to grant agreement

** Generation: You Employed is based in Meath, however, the project is being delivered in the Midlands Designated Territory

First tourism projects awarded €2.9million investment under Fáilte Ireland’s EU JTF Private and Community SME Scheme announced

First 17 projects announced have received almost €2.9million in funding under Fáilte Ireland’s Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs.
Evaluations of remaining applications are ongoing with further funding awards to be announced on a rolling basis over the coming weeks and months.

Today [18th February 2025] Fáilte Ireland has announced the first 17 projects, worth almost €2.9million, that have been awarded funding under its Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs.

Part of the EU Just Transition Fund programme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, this marks the first announcement of successful projects under the Private and Community SME scheme, which closed on 13th January 2025 after receiving 170 applications. The 17 projects [listed below] represent the first to have signed Investment Grant Agreements with Fáilte Ireland, with more projects expected to be announced on a rolling basis in the coming weeks and months, as evaluations of applications are completed.

Projects span four regenerative tourism development categories, including the Development or Enhancement of Sustainable Visitor Experiences; Development of Sustainable/Low Carbon Tourist Accommodation; Capital Project Planning and Design; and Accessibility enhancements to provide a more inclusive visitor experience.

CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Paul Kelly said:

“When Fáilte Ireland launched this scheme in August 2023, our aim was to create new opportunities for local communities and businesses across the midlands – and today’s announcement is a huge milestone in this journey.

These 17 projects will provide innovative and sustainable visitor experiences and develop low-carbon tourist accommodation, and I look forward to further announcements of successful projects in the coming weeks and months, as we continue to evaluate the significant number of applications we received.

Initiatives like the EU Just Transition Fund are essential for generating new opportunities for employment and sustaining local communities by creating more reasons for domestic and international tourists to visit Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East.

We also look forward to further collaboration with local tourism businesses and communities, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) and our strategic partners to deliver a wide range of projects under the EU Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme over the next year and a half.”

Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) Clare Bannon said:

“As the Managing Authority of the EU Just Transition Fund programme, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) welcomes the announcement of these private and community SME projects. The EU Just Transition Fund is a transformative concept for communities in the Midlands, and these 17 projects highlight the significant opportunities arising from investment in tourism. By investing in tourism, we not only create more recreational activities but also contribute to the preservation of environmental quality, fostering sustainable growth and prosperity for our community.”

There has been significant interest in the Private and Community SME scheme, with a high volume of applications received. Fully completed applications are being evaluated in the order of receipt. Fáilte Ireland will communicate with applicants once their application has been evaluated.

Up to 70 tourism enterprises, spread across all eight counties in the EU Just Transition Territory**, are also participating in the Digital Transformation programme element of the scheme, valued at up to €4.8million. This funding enables these enterprises to participate in a two-year programme which will transform their digital presence and digital capabilities.

PROJECTS DETAILS

[Descriptions of all categories noted below]

Location	Category (1/2/3/5)*	Funding
Westmeath	CATEGORY 2 Design and planning for accommodation chalets.	€48,400
Longford	CATEGORY 1 Enhanced bicycles and equipment to provide an accessible and inclusive visitor experience.	€135,200
Laois	CATEGORY 2 Glamping and wagon accommodation experience.	€250,000
Longford	CATEGORY 1 Inclusive visitor experience in Clondara area with increased tour options and routes and enhanced fleet of bicycles and equipment.	€25,776
Offaly	CATEGORY 3 Planning and design to redevelop and repurpose farm outbuildings into low carbon self-catering accommodation including ecological restoration and planting native flora and fauna.	€13,474
Offaly	CATEGORY 1 Develop fly fishing tours on the River Shannon.	€41,520
Tipperary	CATEGORY 1 Enhanced bicycles and equipment to provide an accessible and inclusive visitor experience.	€ 47,200
Galway	CATEGORY 3 A feasibility study to develop a cookery school with dorm style accommodation outdoor glamping pods, campervan pitches, a petting farm and wellness space.	€57,600
Offaly	CATEGORY 1 Increase the variety of the stock of bikes available to create a more inclusive visitor experience.	€168,000
Tipperary	CATEGORY 2 Redevelopment of outhouses into self-catering accommodation units and facilities for glamping tents.	€300,000
Roscommon	CATEGORY 2 Conversion of a 19th Century Schoolhouse into modern guest accommodation.	€275,000
Longford	CATEGORY 2 Development of eco cabins with accompanying works to surrounding area.	€300,000
Longford	CATEGORY 2 Delivery of self-catering accommodation to include one cottage and two glamping pods.	€300,000
Westmeath	CATEGORY 2 Conversion of disused buildings into self-catering cottages	€300,000
Laois	CATEGORY 2 Delivery of luxury eco glamping huts, including a wheelchair accessible hut	€300,000
Longford	CATEGORY 1 Enhanced boat and boating equipment to facilitate on-water guided tours.	€37,000
Longford	CATEGORY 2 Conversion of store room building into guest accommodation.	€300,000

Project categories

Under the Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private & Community SMEs there are five project categories that are being considered for funding:

Category 1 – Development or Enhancement of Sustainable Visitor Experiences
Category 2 – Development of Sustainable Tourist Accommodation
Category 3 – Capital Project Planning & Design
Category 4 – Digital Transformation
Category 5 – Accessibility enhancements to provide a more inclusive visitor experience.

Certificate ceremony for the first Wind Turbine training course on 9 February 2025, Roscommon

EUJTF-funded First Local Wind Turbine Course a Major Success

Last Sunday (February 9th) marked a momentous day in promoting local environmental awareness when ten participants graduated from a new innovative self-build Wind Turbine course, organised jointly by Roscommon County Council’s Climate Action Team in conjunction with Galway and Roscommon Education Training Board (GRETB).

first EUJTF funded wind turbine course graduation ceremony

Participants of the Wind Turbine training course receive certificates of completion on 9 February 2025.

This inaugural programme which ran over 4 separate weekends during December 2024 and January 2025 in the GRETB’s centre in Lisnamult, Roscommon. A further course is scheduled to start in March at a date to be confirmed.

Participants learned to build a domestic wind turbine from scratch using the Hug Piggott turbine design. These models are considered ideal for those interested in building their own wind turbine or just for the pleasure of it, learning a wide range of range of related skills such as basic woodwork, electrical and metalwork.

Training provided has been divided between the aforementioned self-build wind turbine courses and other EV repair and maintenance courses. This first wind turbine course has helped raise levels resilience to impacts resulting from climate change for the participants and set them on the road to a potential career in the renewables industry.

The programme was funded through the Just Transition Fund programme, co-financed through Government of Ireland and European Union resources, with the aim to run regular training courses like this wind turbine course in partnership with GRETB until the end of March 2026.

Speaking following the presentation ceremony, Barry Tapster, Climate Action Officer with Roscommon County Council remarked:

“This new Wind Turbine course has been an invaluable learning exercise for participants.

“Practical, hands-on training and support has been given as to how one can develop and operate their own wind turbine in a manner that’s cost effective, safe and environmentally friendly and sustainable.

“None of us were immune from the recent effects of Storm Éowyn, which resulted in widespread power outages. The success of this course demonstrates the needs for greater understanding and awareness of harnessing alternative sources of energy”, Mr. Tapster remarked.

Wind turbine building training course, Roscommon 2025

Training course participants constructing parts of a wood wind turbine. Photo by eirbyte.ie

Sinead Morgan, Director of Further Education and Training, GRETB commended

“All involved in the creation and delivery of this programme which demonstrates GRETB’s commitment to providing training to develop the green, circular and low-carbon economy to support innovation and skills development.”

For further information, please contact Roscommon County Council at climate@roscommoncoco.ie .

Regional Assemblies and Maynooth University launch innovative National Census Atlas and Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) dashboard

Ireland’s first neighbourhood-level atlas brings over 200 indicators to your fingertips

Ireland’s three Regional Assemblies – the Eastern and Midland, the Northern and Western, and the Southern Regional Assemblies – in collaboration with the All-Island Research Observatory (AIRO) at Maynooth University, are proud to announce the launch of the National Census Atlas, a groundbreaking tool that provides an unprecedented view of over 200 social, economic, and environmental indicators at the neighbourhood level across Ireland. Alongside this, a new section on the Regional Development Monitor (RDM) dedicated to key Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) indicators is also being unveiled.

Minister Peter Burke TD with EMRA A/Director Clare Bannon, Anne-Marie Wood Wolfe and Owen Douglas at the launching of the Census Atlas in Athlone on 6 February 2025.

This pioneering atlas is hosted on the Tailte Éireann GeoHive platform via the Regional Development Monitor (RDM), enabling users to explore a wealth of data in an accessible and interactive format. From housing trends and employment statistics to environmental factors, the atlas delivers valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, businesses, and citizens alike.

The National Census Atlas offers:

Neighbourhood-level insights: Detailed mapping of data for informed decision-making at the local level.
Comprehensive indicators: Over 200 datasets covering critical aspects of Irish life, including demographics, social and cultural factors, education, health and wellbeing, housing, employment and economy, communications and ICT, and transport and commuting.
User-friendly access: An intuitive interface powered by the GeoHive platform, making data exploration straightforward for all users.

All data in the atlas comes from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) Census 2022 results, ensuring the most up-to-date and accurate representation of Ireland’s social and economic characteristics.

A Resource for Evidence-Based Planning and Beyond

Justin Gleeson explains the features of the newly launched Census Atlas in Athlone on 6 February 2025.

The National Census Atlas is primarily aimed at supporting the planning sector in Ireland, providing a robust resource for evidence-based planning and policymaking. It will be a useful support tool for Government Department and State bodies, local authorities, community groups and planning consultants. However, its applications extend far beyond, offering valuable insights for secondary and third-level students in understanding the social and economic characteristics of the country.

Examples of the Tool in Use

The National Census Atlas illustrates its potential to support current and future policy development for key social issues. For instance:

Population change: The tool shows levels of population change over the last twenty years, highlighting areas of major population growth alongside regions experiencing continual population decline.
Household heating sources: The atlas details variations in household heating methods within and across counties, providing essential data for policies aimed at achieving a just transition from fossil fuels.
Employment clustering: Insights into the clustering of employment in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing industries, and professional services can guide regional economic development strategies.
Religious affiliation trends: The tool reveals differing trends in religious affiliation between urban and rural areas, offering a nuanced understanding of cultural shifts.
Commuting patterns: Detailed data on commuting patterns to cities and large towns helps inform transport and infrastructure planning.

Setting Ireland Apart as an International Leader

The National Census Atlas is unique in its scope and detail. No other country has developed a national resource as comprehensive as this, positioning Ireland as an example of international best practice. This innovative approach highlights Ireland’s commitment to leveraging data for sustainable development and inclusive planning.

Technological Advancements for Local Authorities

One of the key advancements in this tool is its ability to allow local authorities to develop their own maps tailored to their specific areas – counties, cities and towns, local electoral areas and municipal districts. This feature empowers local authorities and elected members to better understand and respond to the unique needs of their communities.

A Collaboration for Ireland’s Future

Developed by the AIRO team at Maynooth University, the project was made possible through direction and funding from the three Regional Assemblies of Ireland: the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, and the Southern Regional Assembly. This collaboration underscores the commitment to equipping communities with tools to drive evidence-based planning and regional development.

A Vision for Sustainable Development

In formally launching the National Census Atlas and S3 Dashboard, Minister Peter Burke TD stated: “I am proud to launch the National Census Atlas, a groundbreaking tool providing access to key data which will be instrumental in supporting evidence-based policymaking. We are the first country to develop such a resource, positioning Ireland at the forefront of international best practice. I am also delighted to launch the new Smart Specialisation Strategy Visualisation Dashboard which was developed in collaboration with my own Department. This tool will help monitor the progress of our National Smart Specialisation Strategy, monitor our regional innovation performance and enable regions to focus on their strengths. These new tools are fantastic additions to the Regional Development Monitor that I had the pleasure of launching in November 2022 and will be crucial to future policy development.”

Justin Gleeson, Director of AIRO, emphasised the significance of the initiative:

“The National Census Atlas represents a major step forward in democratising access to data. By providing granular insights at the neighbourhood level, this tool empowers stakeholders across Ireland to identify needs, allocate resources effectively, and plan for a sustainable future. It is a fantastic example of public sector collaboration in Ireland and the use of publicly funded data collection initiatives.”

Clare Bannon, Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly added:

“This project highlights the power of collaboration in advancing regional development goals. We’re proud to support this initiative, which offers a new perspective on Ireland’s evolving social, economic, and environmental landscape. This tool is a great addition to the Regional Development Monitor which has become a key resource for local and regional authorities in Ireland.”

Access the Atlas Today

The National Census Atlas is available now on the Regional Development Monitor website:

https://rdm.geohive.ie/pages/national-census-atlas

Launch of the new Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) Visualisation Dashboard

In addition to the launch of the National Census Atlas, Ireland’s three Regional Assemblies and AIRO are pleased to announce a new Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) visualisation dashboard on the RDM website. The dashboards on this platform have been developed to support the monitoring of the national Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3), an innovation policy concept that aims to boost regional enterprise innovation by enabling regions to focus on their strengths.

Developed by the RDM project team in collaboration with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), the dashboard provides visualisations for several key indicators, including:

Real Labour Productivity per Person
International Comparison of R&D Personnel per Thousand Total Employment
Regional Innovation Scoreboard Indicators

By offering these data-driven insights, the new S3 visualisation platform will support policymakers, researchers, and businesses in identifying areas of strategic growth, fostering innovation, and contributing to regional prosperity across Ireland.

The S3 Dashboard is available now on the Regional Development Monitor website:

https://rdm.geohive.ie/pages/s3-indicators

AIR Seminar Celebrates a Decade of three Regional Assemblies in Ireland

The Association of Irish Regions (AIR) holds its third Annual Training Seminar and launches the National Census Atlas and the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) Dashboard.

The Association of Irish Regions (AIR) held an engaging and enlightening training seminar on 5-6 February 2025 in Athlone. Following from the successful events in Monaghan in 2023 and Adare in 2024, over 270 registered delegates of locally elected representatives, policy makers, regional planners, experts and stakeholders from across Ireland and Europe gathered at the Radisson Blu Hotel overlooking the River Shannon for the third AIR training seminar.

The event also marked a significant milestone as it celebrated 10 years of the three Regional Assemblies in Ireland, which were established in their current form in 2015. Since then, the Assemblies have become vehicles for both securing and brokering critical investment, strategic policymaking and are key advocates for their constituent communities (both urban and rural).

Of the event, Clare Bannon, A/Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly said:

“EMRA is honoured to host the 2025 AIR training seminar. It has been a privilege to bring together a significant lineup of speakers with the goal of debating and enhancing the critical role the Regions play in building a resilient, inclusive and sustainable Ireland. This seminar has provided a wonderful opportunity for all participants to come together at a pivotal time in both domestic and international politics to discuss key issues of importance as we look forward towards the next ten years of Regions in Ireland.”

The Cathaoirleach of AIR, Cllr Jimmy McClearn, Galway County Council and member of the Committee of the Regions, added:

“This event underscores the remarkable progress the Regions have made over the past decade and looks at where we can go in the future. The discussions, insights, and collaborations made possible by this timely event will undoubtedly propel us toward even greater achievements in regional development and cooperation.”

This year’s event ended with the launching of the National Census Atlas and the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) Dashboard by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD. With the Minister’s warm support, the three Regional Assemblies in collaboration with the All-Island Research Observatory (AIRO) at Maynooth University launched these two brand new extensions to the Regional Development Monitor (RDM) which provides mapping and visualisation platforms to assist Government Departments, Regional Assemblies, Local Authorities, planners, policy makers, researchers, and citizens in gaining greater insight to aid better decision-making. First of its kind in Europe, this is a fully open, user-friendly and interactive resource that shows over 200 key indicators down to a neighbourhood-level and can demonstrate key social, economic and environmental trends across Ireland.

Of the launch, Minister Peter Burke TD said:

EMRA Director Clare Bannon, Minister Peter Burke TD and Justin Gleeson Director of AIRO in Athlone at the launch of the Census Atlas and the S3 Dashboard

“I am proud to launch the National Census Atlas, a groundbreaking tool providing access to key data which will be instrumental in supporting evidence-based policymaking. We are the first country to develop such a resource, positioning Ireland at the forefront of international best practice. I am also delighted to launch the new Smart Specialisation Strategy Visualisation Dashboard which was developed in collaboration with my own Department. This tool will help monitor the progress of our National Smart Specialisation Strategy, monitor our regional innovation performance and enable regions to focus on their strengths. These new tools are fantastic additions to the Regional Development Monitor that I had the pleasure of launching in November 2022 and will be crucial to future policy development.”

You can read more about the launch and what this platform can do in this press release.

Overview of the event

Over the course of the two days, an impressive list of speakers joined delegates in discussing the key themes of multi-level governance, EU Cohesion policy, and regional spatial planning and economic development. These themes are pivotal in shaping the future of regional development and ensuring that policies are effectively implemented to benefit all regions in Ireland.

Attendees learned about the evolving space of governance in Ireland from such speakers as Dorothée Allain-Dupré, Head of the Regional Development and Multi-level Governance Division at the OECD, Mayor John Moran of Limerick and Elaine Lynch of the Association if Irish Local Government (AILG). Following a recorded message from Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reform in the European Commission, Raffaele Fitto (see video message below), speakers of the second session including Sari Rautio, member of the High-Level Group on the Future of Cohesion policy and EPP Group Leader in the Committee of the Regions (CoR), Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP, Cllr Kieran McCarthy of Cork City Council and CoR Member, and Ellen Mulder-Metselaar, Director International Relations & Public Affairs, Province of Gelderland in the Netherlands, helped attendees explore the future of Cohesion Policy post-2027 and how Regions can benefit from engaging at EU level. The third session brought together speakers such as Marie Donnelly, Chairperson of the Climate Change Advisory Council, Brendan O’Sullivan, University College Cork Centre for Planning and Education & Research, Jonathan Patchell and David Barret from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Caoimhín Ó Ciaruáin, Department of Transport, to discuss the future of planning in Ireland with specific attention to the economic, climate and transport dimensions.

The full agenda with all speakers listed can be downloaded here.

At the dinner on the 5th of February, Brian Cody, Kilkenny Hurling Manager and eleven-time All Ireland Winning Manager, treated guests to an inspirational keynote speech. He shared stories about his extraordinary hurling career, emphasising the importance of resilience in the face of setbacks, nurturing team spirit at the grassroots, and working together to make decisions for the long-term greater good.

Complementing the informative sessions and debates, the seminar featured an exhibition space showcasing some of the outstanding work and initiatives that have been undertaken by the three Regional Assemblies over the past decade. This exhibition highlighted the tangible impacts and successes achieved, demonstrating the importance of collaborative efforts in regional planning and development.

Notes:

The Association of Irish Regions (AIR) is the representative body of the three Regional Assemblies in Ireland – the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly and the Southern Regional Assembly. Established in 2015, the three Regional Assemblies promote coordinated planning and sustainable development, work to support economic development, manage EU funding programmes, and enhance regional collaboration. They provide strategic input into policy-making, ensuring alignment with national and EU objectives while addressing the unique needs of their respective regions. By fostering partnerships between local authorities, state agencies, and stakeholders, the Assemblies help shape a balanced and thriving Ireland.